[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6475859,"mediaKeyId","5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e","parentId",5731957,"title","Committee approves higher civil filing fee and expanded prejudgment interest provisions","audioSeconds",577,"startMs",13391000,"endMs",13968000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e&start=13391&end=13968","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e/thumbnail_13391000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475859/Committee-approves-higher-civil-filing-fee-and-expanded-prejudgment-interest-provisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475859-55656071a7a111169d2362b15fb98871/orig.mp4?Expires=1773599404&Signature=lHvD1aFnWS0m0AxAmP64kTzUTD6ibLye1DzT~tme4J8UhLtbxQPH55Ma86elmyfpnkWEhhILTBdKzzxhyL8OlmZKtzwoqeXdAMCV1ALlSR9Pj1JqhTwgfTfXBXp86zrIqR8dgH7FgF7TvsJn9M8g-le8EitlNcOyP6jmFw9jDob9QQxBjnoGrAMzz18d2U-IF1mevVjKlJhsNfy3gG-ykxDi4TyLFH02hAZq~1abfgZa3aIccB1AM1~AxIAvwI8d4zXv1Y~gqkDP3aCxDwJj2QH1mGshe3m6xMpNE77EwU2n8FHr7QV-OClgXpmy8YQlD36afnZ2McfVoNempuGOdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virgin Islands Legislature","date","2025-09-08T20:53:38.803Z","article","The Committee on Rules and Judiciary voted to forward Bill 36-0112 to the full Legislature after testimony from the judiciary and the Virgin Islands Bar Association on fees and litigation incentives.

Sponsor Senator Carla J. Joseph said the bill raises the filing fee for general civil complaints from $75 to $150 and expands the fee to include affirmative relief claims such as counterclaims, cross claims and third‑party complaints. The sponsor said revenue would be directed to a judicial-branch improvement fund to support courthouse repairs and other capital needs.

Regina DeChabert Peterson, administrator of courts, told the committee that fee-setting is primarily a judicial-administration matter but that the judiciary supported the need for capital funding and stated that the branch is finalizing a comprehensive fee review. The bill also codifies a prejudgment-interest procedure tied to an offer-of-judgment mechanism; the measure refers to a 9% interest figure that aligns with interest used in many states. The transcript includes discussion clarifying that 9% prejudgment interest already applies in some contexts and the bill would apply interest more broadly when an offer‑of‑judgment is filed.

Russell Pate, president of the Virgin Islands Bar Association, supported the bill as a practical way to generate funds for courthouse improvements and to discourage delay by defendants. He noted that for many civil cases the cost of litigation (depositions, experts, transcripts) far exceeds the filing fee and that waivers are available for litigants who cannot pay.

After committee discussion and an amendment to direct fee revenues to a judicial-branch improvement fund, the measure passed by roll call and will proceed to the full Legislature for further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09/04/2025 Committee on Rules and Judiciary","oneSentenceSummary","Bill 36-0112, which raises the Superior Court general civil filing fee and extends prejudgment interest procedures, was approved by the committee and will go to the full Legislature. The bill directs fee revenue to judicial capital improvements and would allow prejudgment interest when a judgment-offer mechanism is used.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands, International","taxId",77876,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6475863,"Committee backs bill to smooth court operations during judicial vacancies",1279,8369000,9648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e&start=8369&end=9648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e/thumbnail_8369000.jpg","/articles/6475863/Committee-backs-bill-to-smooth-court-operations-during-judicial-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475863-8bd06564d228547658397e3af251e891/orig.mp4?Expires=1773599404&Signature=OuAWcOnEjBJgj4AJ9spP3ero4B-AyXqgmgl~j-1SIduHX8ekTiqubAco0o5L8w37RfKJdR1n3cfungTNehaH7Zojf-oZhGvvfI42LqkYLdiZTCIoyErEScQjdPzDVgts33yzdNXDoDD~sjKYXGStyKDp2pSWsGtBeBEggkPtlpQcqWcVfQ40yI-gKNDaI6nRTwXo1Hr3moBvnW0SYGsZEiuTW-NdFEJueTv85qwpkjJj~6hAR-E-Oc46Mp~bDixQz6q3RUm7FysiihTbaD5ap5Vmz2Bo41Ke3aUwCLGtqWq-8MwUswuLv10FtFBtqETbr0yI1eZ2rDuGdhAOLR09UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Rules and Judiciary voted to send Bill 36-0101 to the full Legislature after hearing testimony from the judiciary and others about persistent case backlogs tied to judicial vacancies.

Sponsor Novell E. Francis Jr. said the measure responds to long delays caused when judicial terms expire and replacements are not confirmed promptly. Regina DeChabert Peterson, administrator of courts, and Associate Justice Harold Willocks described how vacancies and short statutory holdover limits have forced the courts to redistribute dockets and rely on ad hoc measures.

The bill would strike the 180-day limit on a judge’s post‑term holdover service in specified circumstances and add statutory mechanisms to recall former judges as senior‑sitting judges for renewable terms and to appoint part‑time magistrates to hear limited categories of matters. Justice Willocks told the committee the current certification requirement — that the chief justice verify no conflict exists for every active judge before recalling a senior‑sitting judge — is impractical and slows case handling.

The Attorney General’s Office, the Virgin Islands Bar Association and the territorial public defender’s office testified in support or noted operational impacts. The public defender’s office said additional judicial hours could increase courtroom time and that its office may need more attorneys if judges gain capacity to hear more matters.

In committee roll call the measure passed with five yeas and two absences. Sponsor Francis said the bill aims to give the judiciary additional, temporary tools to ensure continuity of operations and reduce delays while permanent judicial appointments proceed through the nomination and confirmation process.","The committee voted to forward Bill 36-0101, which amends law to extend holdover service for judges and create mechanisms for recalling former judges and appointing part‑time magistrates, to help the Superior Court manage case backlogs amid multiple vacancies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6475865,"Committee forwards WAPA and hospitals board nominees to full Legislature",308,6820000,7128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e&start=6820&end=7128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e/thumbnail_6820000.jpg","/articles/6475865/Committee-forwards-WAPA-and-hospitals-board-nominees-to-full-Legislature","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475865-354749b7e197b856ee3cf3d95558b9ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1773599404&Signature=SKUMYhp~LSQo8nbo~cEY0VWFKk5xJ5b1u4jCy2onNK9iSbkGL~93MRZLRNne833qN14bucsFy1KujaoqWiSWYq191pMm5K1LTZgLkaYENVAGtvvqj9GAbUo6qWTtxcyA6m2dXpU7~arxlZL7OvjvMvLEHQpR~4BULqYVAfp5HsgLtgep~MSlOKl8ejMBHQbcXvNM9l28znCM2Sl4g2y9eedr8nXY5-x3Kf575~EinhTj8rXREqzi1nwFawnVxB7tMZ0wVZ9IgrxFwZuOrJEJaAr09ahWrhmJYq8tjgSwgnOxwNNu5WFUccfeVjKecRpXdd9B5trMmimuzL0FE2kRWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Rules and Judiciary voted Monday to forward two more of Governor Albert A. Bridal Jr.'s nominees to the full Legislature: Xavier A. Acevedo for the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) Governing Board, and Dr. Sophia George for the Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation board of directors.

Xavier Acevedo, a retired WAPA employee and former union president who described himself as a 25‑year real estate investor and project manager, urged decisive action on long-standing utility problems. He told senators his immediate priorities would include ending \"back to back\" (estimated) billing, expanding customer communications, revitalizing solar programs and establishing an underground-utility division. Acevedo said he would align board actions with the Ernst & Young organizational assessment and devote his \"full time attention\" if confirmed.

Dr. Sophia George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands and a long-time health-care leader, described workforce shortages and health outcomes that she said require investment in data and training. She told the committee that building a local medical pipeline — including a medical school and residency programs — and improving preventive screening are long-term priorities. George highlighted short-term improvements such as online billing and stronger community outreach to rebuild trust in local hospitals.

Both nominees answered questions on staffing, operational capacity and how their professional experience would shape board decisions. Committee roll calls approved both nominations by favorable committee votes; each nomination passed on a 6-0 roll call with one member absent and will go to the full Legislature for final confirmation.","The Rules and Judiciary Committee voted to forward Xavier A. Acevedo to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Governing Board and Dr. Sophia George to the Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation board to the full Legislature after confirmation hearings.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6475867,"Committee advances nominees for Parole Board and Land Use Appeals to full Senate",4547,1333000,5880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e&start=1333&end=5880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731957-10b94c2e5b976427c2b371879532ef8e/thumbnail_1333000.jpg","/articles/6475867/Committee-advances-nominees-for-Parole-Board-and-Land-Use-Appeals-to-full-Senate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475867-19e844cf000507670ada8e5e03f76ce6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773599404&Signature=CNZzvtGZv2GzDmsBnQ6A5oqFFv3RSsiNz6l1SfnKVlWbTebTTS1ouse2DX1t2RtJnxT5Xa4BbMQi0kUnXeQdky5ilVw-JdPP3Rlt5-u0D84LNVitHOMb1sBXSmq~2iHGkRbIeJghxD4EkVGdQOh0V4z5doKwfWZj9Wa2XNPZRU13yWxu7RCfL6phi~9IdmvEao8YEz3kyrH3RD8EOEac64IZ1WvqQIBlqcq~5Mq4d4-o1~tjm9LzKMGlA~nNyrFj53YtaAvq0BxZlMV7vWqtDk03OIISMbGe-CmX~WKbV0z36DYjgIOJsSww0Zw67jqf9Aapki4TwUf6XPvgrMcUqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Rules and Judiciary advanced two of Governor Albert A. Bridal Jr.'s nominees on Monday, voting to forward Roy Moorehead for the Virgin Islands Parole Board and L. Damien M. Cartwright for the Virgin Islands Board of Land Use Appeals to the full Legislature for final consideration.

The committee heard prepared testimony from both nominees and questioned them on experience and priorities. Roy Moorehead, nominated to the Parole Board, described a career in law enforcement and security and said the board’s work must balance public safety, victims’ interests and opportunities for supervised reentry. \"I believe people can change and take responsibility for their actions,\" Moorehead told the committee.

Nominee L. Damien M. Cartwright, a professional engineer and licensed contractor, said his experience working with surveyors, planners and architects gives him insight into land-use impacts and mitigation. He told senators he would rely on data and expert reports when weighing development proposals and pushed for better information such as traffic and economic-impact studies to inform decisions.

Members asked Moorehead about time commitment, handling high-profile cases, and the role of victim input; Moorehead said he would prioritize due process, full case preparation and victim engagement. Senators questioned Cartwright on balancing development with environmental protection; he described mitigation-banking and use of technology, including AI, to improve data analysis and decision-making.

The committee approved both nominations on roll calls. Roy Moorehead’s confirmation was moved by Senator Avery L. Lewis, seconded in committee, and passed on a 6-0 roll call with one member absent; the committee then voted to forward L. Damien M. Cartwright by the same margin. Both nominations will go to the full Legislature for final votes.

The committee recorded the nominees’ statements and asked that each be prepared to appear before the full body; both nominees delivered brief closing remarks before the committee recessed.","The Committee on Rules and Judiciary held confirmation hearings and voted to forward Governor Albert A. Bridal Jr.'s nominees Roy Moorehead for the Virgin Islands Parole Board and L. Damien M. Cartwright for the Board of Land Use Appeals to the full Legislature, each receiving favorable committee votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves higher civil filing fee and expanded prejudgment interest provisions

Committee backs bill to smooth court operations during judicial vacancies

Committee forwards WAPA and hospitals board nominees to full Legislature

Committee advances nominees for Parole Board and Land Use Appeals to full Senate